Texas Tech Football

It’s possible that no one from Texas Tech’s two-deep at safety during the first month of the season might be available for Saturday’s regular-season finale.

What a time to face the FBS’ highest-scoring offense, one that’s built on passing.

“It’s definitely a concern,” Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said Monday. “We’ll see which one of those guys can get back and hopefully add some depth. When you go against a team with this type of firepower at (receiver) and you’re down some bodies at safety, it’s going to be a matchup problem.”

Texas Tech played most of Saturday’s game with an all-freshman secondary after free safety Keenon Ward was knocked out of the game with a head injury while making a tackle on the third play.

The Red Raiders already were without starting safety J.J. Gaines (shoulder) and cornerback Justis Nelson (head injury), who got hurt the week before. Ward’s injury left them with Tevin Madison and Nigel Bethel at cornerback and Jalen Barnes and Derrick Dixon at safety – all except Barnes being a true freshman.

Twice on its first offensive series Saturday, Texas Tech was flagged for illegal procedure in third-and-short situations. Both times, the Red Raiders hadTylerScalzi lined up at tight end and at least once the Red Raiders gestured toward the Sooners.

“That was what I was told, was they were simulating a snap count,” Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said. “But that goes on, and you just have to be focused and sit in there. That’s inexcusable, whether they’re doing it or not.”

Texas Tech lost two starting defensive backs in its 42-30 loss Saturday with cornerback Justis Nelson suffering a head injury and not playing after the first series and strong safety J.J. Gaines leaving with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter.

Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said Nelson was held out for precautionary reasons. Nelson broke up a pass during his one series, his 14th of the season. He came into the game tied for second in the FBS in that category.

Quarterbacks Davis Webb and Patrick Mahomes both have practiced this week and will be available for Saturday's game against Oklahoma, Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury said Thursday on the weekly Tech football coaches show.

Kingsbury did not name a starter.

"They have both been sharp," Kingsbury said. "I feel confident in both guys getting it done."